SINGAPORE: More employers are sending their maids to
upgrade their skills, going by the ten-fold increase in the number
of foreign domestic workers (FDWs) at classes organised by the
Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Skills Training
(FAST).
When FAST started organising such training in 2005,
only 300 FDWs participated. The figure has increased to about 3,000
annually for the past couple of years. To date, more than 16,000
FDWs have been trained in areas such as cooking, baby care and
computer literacy.
There are about 201,000 maids in Singapore, or about
one in six households. However, the task to upgrade their skills -
and offer the women better opportunities in life - is an uphill
one.
The non-profit organisation said on Sunday that it is tough getting
corporate sponsors as this particular cause is low on companies'
list of priorities when it comes to corporate social responsibility
efforts.
FAST president Seah Seng Choon said: "(Companies have) been
approached by so many non-government organisations for worthy
causes ... we just hope they can give us a part of their donation
budget, so we can also do our part to enhance the well-being of the
foreign domestic workers."
FAST's main source of funding is from the Lee Foundation. It is
hoping that more companies and individuals will support its cause.
Otherwise, the number of courses or classes it offers could be
cut.
Each course is subsidised between S$4 and S$32 per hour. For
example, maids or their employers pay about S$5 for a half-day
cooking class and S$47.70 for a one-day computer course.
Yesterday, FAST received a S$100,000 donation from Keppel
Corporation.
Mr Seah said they have identified more corporations to approach for
donations but Keppel was the first to come on board. The company
will also help to raise awareness among its employees to encourage
them to send their FDWs for training.
Mr William Chew, vice-president of FAST, said such lessons could
enhance the maids' economic opportunities when they return to their
homeland. He related the story of a maid who, after attending a
financial training programme, was able to invest in buffalos when
she returned to the Philippines.
"Beyond learning and training, it also provides the domestic helper
opportunities for a better quality of life," said Mr
Chew.
-- TODAY
